Musical



J1me 1939- w. c. L. MORRISON MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1938 June 13,1939. w c L o so 2,162,339

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 29, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,162,339 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Willie C. L. Morrison, Evergreen, Ala., assignor of one-half to W. F. Kelley and J. E. Kelley, Evergreen, Ala.

Application March 29, 1938, Serial No. 198,740 9 Claims. (Cl. 84320) This invention relates to a musical instrument, Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 1, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as Figures '7, 8 and 9 are respectively sections on hereinafter set forth, a treadle operated and foot lines 1-1, 8-8, and 9-9, Figure 6, controlled stringed musical instrument. Figure 10 is a section on line |-|0, Figure 9,

A further object of the invention is to provide, Figure 11 is a section on line Figure 1, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an adjust- Figures 12, 13, 14, l5, l6 and 17 are respectively able treadle operated stringed musical instrusections on lines |2-|2, |3-|3, |4-|4, |5-|5, ment including selectable actuated spring coniii-4B, and |'|-|1, Figure 11,

trolled foot operated fretting structures. Figure 18 is a section on line |8-|8, Figure l,

A further object of the invention is to provide, Figure 19 is a section on line |9-|9, Figure 1,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a musical Figure 20 is a section on line 20-23, Figure 1,

instrument of the class referred to including a Figure 21 is a fragmentary section on line rotatable pick element common to the strings of 2|-2|, Figure 1, and

the instrument and a treadle operated structure Figure 22 is a fragmentary section looking tofor rotating said element. wards the inner end of the instrument. A further object of the invention is to provide, The instrument includes an open top rectanguin a manner as hereinafter set forth, a stringed lar holder or base 2| having its sides 22, 23, its instrument which is treadle operated and foot end 24 and its bottom 25 of skeleton form. The controlled for providing a guitar-like accompaniend 25 of holder 2| is open at its top. The holdment for other musical instruments. er may be constructed of any suitable material,

A further object of the invention is to provide, preferably light metal to enable for conveniently in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a treadle positioning the instrument at the point desired. operated and foot controlled stringed instrument The holder 2| at the bottom, of its end 24 has for providing a guitar-like accompaniment to connected therewith spaced bars which coact another instrument, both operated simultanewith the bottom, of said end to form a rectangu- 33 ously by the same player. lar skeleton support 26 having a portion disposed Further objects of the invention are to provide, parallel to the bottom: of the holder and its rein a manner as hereinafter set forth, a musical maining portion disposed in outwardly directed instrument for the purpose referred to which is lateral extended relation and at right angles to comparatively simple in its construction and arthe side 23 of the holder. When the latter is :m rangement, strong, durable, compact, convenformed from light metallic material it is cast iently operated, readily assembled, tuned and with the support 26 as an integral part thereof. adjusted, thoroughly efficient in its use, pleasing The front end of support 26 is open and its rear in tone, quickly repaired when occasion requires, end indicated at 21 closed. and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. Arranged within and supported by the holder 1; Embodying the aforesaid objects, and to others 2| is a rectangular sound box 28 of thin wood which may hereinafter appear, the invention having its corners reinforced by internally arconsists of the novel construction, combination ranged braces 29 (Figure 20) secured thereto. and arrangement of parts as will be more spe- The bottom of box 28 is arranged above the botcifically referred to and illustrated in the actom of holder 2|. The top of box 28 is indicated m companying drawings, wherein an embodiment of at 38 and constitutes a sound board. The top 30 the invention is shown, but it is to be understood at one end extends through the upper portion that changes, variations and modifications may of and projects outwardly from the end of be resorted to which fall within the scope of the holder 2| as at 3|. The top between its transinvention as claimed. verse median and what may be termed its head In the drawings: or front end 32, is formed with a rectangular slot Figure 1 is a top plan view of the instrument, 33 transversely thereof and which is intersected Figure 2 is an elevation looking towards one at its transverse median by the longitudinal mecnd thereof, dian of top 30. The latter between its transverse Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation median and what may be termed its rear or inner looking towards the rear side of the bridge eleend 34 is provided with a circular opening 35 inment, tersected centrally by the longitudinal median of Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3. the top 30. The end portion 3| is formed with Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 looking four endwise aligned slots 36, 31, 38 and 39 for a towards the front side of the bridge element, purpose to be referred to. Arranged upon the Lil upper face of the top 36 of the sound box 28, is a short fiat rectangular plate 40 constituting an anchor for one end of the strings of the instrument. The outer end of plate 40 is flush with the end 32 of the said top 30. The plate 40 has. itsv lengthwise center aligned of plate 29, indicated at M, is fixedly secured to the said top 30 by the holdfast means 42. The inner end terminal portion of plate 40, indicated at is formed adjacent to one side of the lengthwise median of the plate with a row of. ali ned spaced openings and with such openings designated 44, and 46. The said inner end terminal portion 43 is also formed with an opening t? adjacent the other side of the lengthwise median of the plate.

Secured upon the said top 30 transversely thereof and in proximity to and inwardly of the slots to 39 a combined guide and supporting member 48 having a high intermediate part 49 and a pair of lower end parts 50, 5|. the part 49 is a plate Arranged outwardly with respect to the plate 52 and secured to the edge 53 is a vertically disposed pin located in proximity to one side of the open upper end of cut-out 55 and projecting above of part 55 and provides a ledge 5! has anchored in its top edge a pin 60 which extends above the ledge 60.

Secured upon the parallel frets 63, 64, the upper face thereof. The fret 64 is of greater height than fret 53 and the fret 65 is of greater height than the fret 64. The distance between the latter and fret 63 is less than the distance between the fret 64 and the fret 65.

The carrier 62 consists of a allel bar-like sections 66, 6'! of like form and of a length to terminate at a point spaced from the.

grooves 69, H3, ll spaced projections 14, 15, 16 extending upwardly from edge 73. The projections 74, 15, 16 have inclined lengthwise edges 17, 18, 19 respectively and 72 in its top edge '13- andforms a continuation of the vertical edge of the projection 18. The. projection 19 is arranged between and spaced from the grooves and H. The projection, 18 is spaced from the groove 69. The grooves and projections of the section 66 grooves. and projections of the sec- Secured to the aligned projections 14 thereof and bridging the a pin-like fret 83.

the grooves 69, I0, Secured to the aligned projections 16. and bridging the space between the latter, is a pair of spaced superposed pin-like frets 65, 86.. Secured to the sections 66, 61 directly below the projections 16 and bridging the space therebetween, as well as aligning in spaced relation with the fret 86, is a pin-like fret 81 arranged between the grooves 10, 1|. Secured to the sections 66, 61 and bridging the space therebetween, is a pin-like fret 88. arranged between the grooves II and T2. The frets 83, 85 align with each other. The fret 84 is arranged in close proximity to the aligned grooves 70. The fret 81 is arranged in closed proximity to the aligned grooves H, and the fret 88 is disposed in close proximity to the aligned grooves 12. The grooves 69 are of like width. The grooves 70 are of like width. The grooves II are of like width and the grooves 12 of like width. The width of the grooves 70 is greater than any of the other grooves. All of the said grooves are of the same depth.

Secured upon the top edge of the side 23 of the frame 2f at a point between the slot 33 and plate providing a bearing for a rotatable adjusting element 90 formed of a, shank 9i having a smooth portion 92, a threaded portion 93 and a winged head 94 integral with the outer (E), of a guitar. Waiian guitars second- (C-sharp), fourth (E) and sixth (E) third on). and fourth (A) strings The instrument is tuned as a Hatherein a rectangular cavity I02 which is connected to the recess IOI by a groove I03. Adjacent one side of and above the cavity I02, base I00 is provided with a ledge I04. Slidably mounted in the groove I03 and extending into the cavity I02 is an adjusting rod I05 for a yokeshaped carrier I06 for the string 99.- The carrier is capable of being selectably shifted in opposite directions by the rod I05 within the cavity I02. The ledge I04 supports the string 99 on the shifting of the latter by the carrier. The rod I05 is connected at one end to the carrier I06 and has its other end secured within an upstanding shifter I01 capable of being slid in opposite directions in the recess IN. The shifter at its upper end is mounted on and has threaded engagement with the threaded portion 93 of the shank 94. The rod I05 is retained in groove I03 by a keeper I08. The clockwise and anticlockwise rotation of element 9I provides for the adjusting of the carrier in cavity I02.

The base I00 (Figures 3, 4 and 5) of bridge element 95 is formed with a narrow upstanding groove I09. The base I00 has mortised on the front face thereof, and extending across the groove I09, a vertically disposed plate IIO formed in its top edge with a groove III for the passage of string 96. The plate I I0 below and aligning with groove III is provided with a pair of superposed openings H2, H3 for the passage of the strings 91, 98 respectively. The plate IIO not only acts as a support for holding the strings 96, 91, 98 over and in spaced relation to the top 29 of the sound box 28, but further acts to retain the said strings in superposed spaced relation. The plate H0 is secured to the base I00 by the holdfast means H4. The plate H0 is arranged between the cavity I02 and the end edge II5 of base I00.

The string 96 passes over and is disposed normally in spaced relation to the frets 83, 85, passes over and permanently seats on ledge 54 and bears against pin 56 (Figure 21). The string 91 passes over and is disposed normally in spaced relation to the fret 86 and extends through and bears against the bottom of the wall of opening 51 (Figure 21). The string 90 passes over and is disposed normally in spaced relation to the frets 84, 81, 08 and extends through and bears against the bottom of the wall of opening 58. The string 98 also bears against the pin 60. The string 99 passes over and is disposed normally in spaced relation to the frets 63, 64, 65, seats on ledge 60 and bears against the pin 80 Secured to the lower face of the extended end terminal portion 3I of the top 30 of the sound box 28 is a bar II5 formed with slots which register with the slots 36, 31, 38, 39. The bar H5 at its ends abuts the sides of the end 25 of the holder 2I. Carried by the bar H5 is a set of rotatable tuning devices H6, H1, H8, H9 for the strings 96, 91, 98 and 99 respectively which extend into the slots 36, 31, 38, 39 respectively and are connected to the shafts I20 of said devices. These latter are of known form.

Secured to the top edges of the sides of the holder 2I and disposed transversely of and spaced from the top 30 of box 20 is an arch I2I having depending centrally therefrom, a hanger I22 constituting a bearing for the inner end of a rotatable shaft I23 which carries and operates a pick I24. Carried by end 24 of the holder 2I is a bearing I25 through which extends the shaft I23. The support 26 includes a standard I26 which also provides a bearing for shaft I23. The

standard I26 isspaced from the end 24 of holder 2I. Fixed to the shaft I23 between and spaced from the bearing I25 and standard I26 is a fly wheel I21 for the shaft I23. The latter outwardly of the wheel I21 is provided with a crank arm I28. Pivotally connected to the support 30, at the open end of the latter as at I29 and pivotally attached to the crank arm I28, is a foot treadle operated driving structure I30 for the shaft I23. The treadle element of the structure I30, indicated at I32 is provided with a retaining means I33 for the foot of the operator.

The pick I24 is arranged over and operates through the slot 33 in the top 30 of the sound box 28. The pick I24 is positioned between the superposed strings 96, 91, 98 and the string 99, and it includes a hub I34 adjustably secured on the shaft I23 by a set screw I35. Extending radially from the hub I34 is a curved picker-finger I36 having its width less than the length of the hub I34. The finger I36 is spaced equi-distant from the ends of the hub I34 and is of rectangular contour in cross section to provide a broad wiping surface for action on the strings to sound the notes. The finger I36 is of arcuate form with its outer portion disposed in an opposite direction with respect to the direction of rotation of the shaft I23. The latter is driven in a clockwise direction. The finger I36 wipes successively on the strings 96, 91, 98 and then wipes the string 99.

The instrument includes a set of selectable spring controlled depressible foot operated fretting structures, three in number, indicated generally at I31, I38, I39, disposed transversely of and over the box tion and positioned between the opening 35 in box top 30 and the element 48.

The fretting structures I31, I38, I39 include depressible carriers I40, MI and I42 respectively arranged in superposed spaced relation with respect to box top 30 and mounted adjacent to one end thereof on a common pivot I43 supported in the upper ends of vertical guides I44, I45, I46 respectively for the carriers I40, HI and I42, The said guides are secured upon the top edge of the side 22 of holder 2I. The carriers at their pivoted ends extend through the guides. The other ends of the carriers are bifurcated as at I41. Vertically disposed selectively operated shift rods I48, I49, I50 are provided for the carriers I40, I4I, I42 respectively. Each rod has its upper end extending into a bifurcated end of a carrier and is mounted on a pivot I5I which extends through the said bifurcated end. The carrier MI is arranged between the carriers I40, I42. The said rods are slidably mounted in the side 23 of holder 2| in the manner as is shown in Figure 20 with respect to the rod I50.

The carrier I40 has secured thereto and depending therefrom a fretting member I52 consisting of a strip I53 standing on its lower lengthwise edge and having extending therefrom spaced fingers I54, I55, I56, I51. The said fingers are disposed at right angles to strip I53, but finger I54 extends in an opposite direction to the direction in which the fingers I55, I56, I51 extend. The finger I54 is arranged over the fret carrier 6I. The fingers I55, I56, I51 are arranged over the fret carrier 62. pressed the finger I54 is to coact with string 99 for moving it against fret 63, the finger I55 is to coact with string 96 for moving it against fret 03, the finger I56 is to coact with string 98 for moving it against fret 88 and the finger I51 is 28, arranged in parallel rela- When carrier I40 is de-- to coact with string 91 for moving it against fret 84.

The carrier MI has secured thereto and depending therefrom a fretting member I58 consisting of an upstanding strip i59 standing on its lower lengthwise edge and having extending therefrom spaced fingers I69, IBI, I62. The said fingers are disposed at right angles to strip I59, but finger I60 extends in an opposite direction to the direction in which the fingers I 562. The finger I is arranged over the fret carrier 6|. The fingers I6I, I62 are arranged over the fret carrier 62. When carrier Ml is depressed the finger 450 is to coact with the string for moving it against fret 64, the finger iBI is to coact with the string 96 for moving it against fret 85 and the finger I62 is to coact with the string 98 for moving it against fret 8d.

The carrier I42 has secured thereto and depending therefrom a pair of oppositely disposed fretting members .463, i6 3 arranged over the fret carriers SI, 62 respectively. The member I63 includes a finger I 65. The members I 64 includes a body part 65 having extended thereof a set of superposed spaced aligned fingers itl', I68, 589. When carrier I42 is depressed the finger coacts with the string 99 for moving it against fret 65, and the fingers I67, I63, 569 coact respectively with the strings 95, 9?, 98 for moving them in unison against the frets 85, 86, 8'? respectively.

The fretting members on the carriers are so related to provide for a clearance between them when one of the fretting structures is selectably depressed.

The shift rods for the carriers have fixedly secured thereto above their lower ends outwardly directed foot treads for the application thereto of pressure to lower the rods. The treads for the rods I48, I49 and I5!) are indicated at I'M, I74, I12 respectively. The tread H2 is angularly disposed with respect to tread Ill. Arranged below the treads I'Ifl, ITI, I72 are controlling springs I13, I14, I15 respectively for normally maintaining the rods I48, I49, i5i! in their elevated position. When pressure is relieved on a tread, the spring for the latter will return the rod with which the tread is associated to its normal position whereby the fretting structure is shifted upwardly on its pivot from active position. The said controlling springs are secured to the side 23 of holder 2I and extend outwardly from the latter. The form of the controlling springs employed is shown in Figure 20.

Anchored in the lower portion of the side 26 of the holder ZI is a positioning device I26 for that foot of the operator employed for selectively depressing a fretting structure. The device Ilfi extends outwardly from the side 26 of holder 2! and includes a pair of arms H7, H8 which are arranged between the tread ill and the treads I I0, I12.

On the operation of the shaft 423 in a clockwise direction, the pick I24 will be carried therewith and the finger I36 will successively wipe the strings 99, 95, 92, 98 to sound the notes. The notes may be changed by selectively depressing one of the fretting structures.

What I claim is:

l. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set,

a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the upper most to the lowermost string of the said set during the rotation of the pick, spaced frets ar ranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, and selectably operable spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over said single string and set of strings and each including fingers for depressing strings against frets.

2. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set, a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the uppermost to the lowermost string of the said set dur ing the rotation of the pick, spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with said single s .g, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably t or "sible spring controlled pivotally suspended 1g structures arranged over said single string and set of strings and each including finge for depressing strings against frets, foot i'eads carried by said structures, a rotatable shat carrying said pick, and a foot operated driving means for said shaft.

3. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set, a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the uppermost to the lowermost string of the said set during the rotation of the pick, ranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably operable spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over string and set of strings and each including fingers for depressing strings against frets, spaced parallel supporting means for the major portion of the length of said single string and for maintaining said portion in spaced relation with respect to said set, and spaced parallel supporting means for normally maintaining the major portion of the length of the strings of said set in superposed spaced relation.

4. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set, a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the upperspaced frets arsaid single most to the lowermost string of the said set during the rotation of the pick, spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably operable spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over said single string and set of strings and each including fingers for depressing strings against frets, spaced parallel supporting means for the major portion of the length of said single string and for maintaining said portion in spaced relation with respect to said set, spaced parallel supporting means for normally maintaining the major portion of the length of the strings of said set in superposed spaced relation, and means connected to one of the supporting means for the major portion of the length of said single string for varying the space between such portion and the said string of said set.

5. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set, a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the uppermost to the lowermost string of the said set during the rotation of the pick, spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably depressible spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over said single string and set of strips and each including fingers for depressing strings against frets, foot treads carried by said structures, a rotatable shaft carrying said pick, a foot operated driving means for said shaft, and a foot positioning means disposed in relation to said treads.

6. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set,

a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the uppermost to the lowermost string of the said set during the rotation of the pick, spaced frets ar ranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably operable spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over said single string and set of strings and each including fingers for depressing strings against frets, a sounding means arranged below said strings, means for anchoring the strings at one end to said means, means for adjustably connecting the other end of the strings with said sounding means, a holder for said sounding means, a rotatable shaft arranged over said sounding means fixed to and bodily rotating said pick therewith, bearing means for said shaft carried by said holder, said structures being pivotally and slidably connected to the holder, and a foot operating means for the shaft connected to the holder.

'7. A stringed musical instrument including a set of strings having the major portion of their length arranged in superposed spaced aligned relation, a single string having the major portion of its length disposed in parallel spaced relation with respect to one of the strings of said set, a rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for picking said single string and then successively picking the strings of said set from the uppermost to the lowermost strings of the said set during the rotation of the pick, spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with said single string, other spaced frets arranged below and for coaction with the strings of said set, selectably operable spring controlled pivotally suspended fretting structures arranged over said single string and set of strings and each including flngers for depressing strings against frets, a sounding means arranged below and to which said strings are connected, a holder for said sounding means and to which said structures are pivotally and slidably connected, and operating means for said pick supported by and connected to said holder.

8. In a stringed musical instrument, a sound box, a holder therefor, a set of superposed strings and a single string spaced from said set, said single string and said set of strings connected with and having a portion of their length spaced above said box, frets on said box for coaction with said strings, selectable foot depressed spring controlled fretting structure slidably and pivotally connected to said holder for coaction with said strings and frets, a horizontally disposed rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for action on said single string and then for successive action on the strings of said set during the rotation of the pick, foot operated means connected to the holder for rotating said pick, and spaced means for holding the portion of the length of the single string and strings of said set in spaced relation with respect to said box.

9. In a stringed musical instrument, a sound box, a holder therefor, a set of superposed strings and a single string spaced from said set, said single string and said set of strings connected with and having a portion of their length spaced above said box, frets on said box for coaction with said strings, selectable foot depressed spring controlled fretting structure slidably and pivotally connected to said holder for coaction with said strings and frets, a horizontally disposed rotatable pick arranged between said single string and said set of strings and including a radially disposed picker finger of a length for action on said single string and then for successive action on the strings of said set during the rotation of the pick, foot operated means connected to the holder for rotating said pick, spaced means for holding the portion of the length of the single string and strings of said set in spaced relation with respect to said box, means for anchoring one end of said strings to said box adjacent one end of the latter, and means for adjustably connecting the other end of the strings to the other end of the box.

WILLIE C. L. MORRISON. 

